Amusement apparatus.



E. MARRDER.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, '1908.

903,21 Patented Nov., 10, 1908.

www W W J 5 ae/1443M I m ns "cams PETERS co. WASHINGTON, n4 :4

UNITE FFIG.

EUGENE MARRDER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 10, 1908.

Application filed April 23, 1908. Serial No. 428,725.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE MARRDER, a subject of the Czar of Russia, residing in New York, in the borough of Manhattan, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Amusement Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved amusement apparatus for indoor and outdoor use, in-which an imitation balloon appears to rise in connection with a platform suspended therefrom on which a horse and rider are supported, and at a given moment and height fireworks arranged at the circumference of the platform are set off; and the invention consists of an amusement apparatus comprising a hollow balloon-shaped body suspended by a cable that passes vertically through said body, the cable being connected with a winch or other hoisting device, and a platform suspended below the body from the lower end of the cable, the platform being provided with a raised rim, as will be fully described hereinafter and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view showing the different parts of the amusement apparatus connected with each other, Fig. 2 is a vertical central section through the lower part of the balloon-shaped body and the platform suspended from the cable of the same, and Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on line 3, 3, Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, a represents a balloon-shaped body, which is made of a suitable frame covered by any suitable material in imitation of a balloon. The bal 'loon-shaped body a is provided with an opening 0 at the lower part. t is suspended from a steel cable I), to which the upper end of the body a is attached, said cable being guided over fixed pulleys b 6 to a winch or other hoisting apparatus 0 that is located in any suitable position on the gallery of an indoor amusement place when the apparatus is used in an inclosed space, or on the ground near the apparatus when the same is exhibited in the open air. In the latter case the body a is suspended from a cable stretched between upright posts arranged at both sides of the amusement apparatus. The cable 1) passes vertically through the body a, its lower end being located within the body and provided with safety-hooks b or other means of suspension for a platform (5, which is made of any suitable size and shape according to the object to be supported on the same. The platform may be made of wood or any other suitable material. The corners of the platform are connected by thin steel cables (l with the suspension-means b at the lower end of the cable I) so that the platform is supported in horizontal position thereon. Thus the plat form is supported directly from the cable.

and not from the balloon-shaped body, which serves to conceal the connection between the cable and platform, but is independent of the latter so far as supporting it is concerned.

The platform is provided with a rim 6 that extends around the entire edge of the platform, said rim serving for giving a foothold to the feet of the horse when horse and rider are to be exhibited on the platform. The rim of the platform gives the necessary confidence to the horse to remain in steady and quiet position on the platform. On the outer edge of the platform are arranged electric lights and means for supporting different fireworks, which are set ofi when the entire apparatus has been raised to a certain height, so as to give the desired effect. From the lower end of the cable I) is suspended a safety-rope f which is grasped by the rider in case of an accident to the apparatus or horse.

When the amusement apparatus is to be used the horse and rider, preferably a female, are mounted on the platform. The current for the electric lights is then turned on so as to illuminate horse and rider. The entire apparatus is then raised by slowly turning the winch and winding up the suspension-cable. When the apparatus is is at a certain height, the fireworks are set off, whereby a fine effect is produced, the horse being trained to remain steadily in position throughout the performance. In place of a horse and rider, any other animate or inanimate object may be placed on the platform, but the best effect is obtained with a live, trained horse and a female rider.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. An amusement apparatus comprising a suspended cable, a platform attached to the lower end of said cable, a hoisting device in connection with said cable to raise and lower said platform, and a hollow balloon-shaped body connected with the cable above said platform and through the upper end of which said cable passes, said body concealing the connection between the latter and said platf0rm.-

2. An amusement apparatus consisting of a balloon-shaped body having an opening at its lower end, a cable attached to the upper end of the balloon-shaped body and passing centrally to the lower end of the same,

means for guiding the cable, a hoisting device for raising the balloon-shaped body, a 1 platform below the balloon-shaped body, and suspension-ropes connecting the plat form with the lower end of the cable at the interio rof the balloon-shaped body.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EUGENE MARRDER. Witnesses:

PAUL GoEPEL, HENRY J. SUI-IRBIER. 

